ASTI - Ireland's main second level teachers union

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Commenting on the publication of college entry league tables today, ASTI General Secretary Pat King said: “It is important to recognise that these tables do not tell us about the real performance of schools. In fact they present a shallow, incomplete and distorted picture of the work of schools.”

 

“League tables which focus solely on college and university entry ignore the fact that a school that empowers a pupil to attain a pass grade in a subject, or to complete the Junior Certificate or the Leaving Certificate, has contributed as much or more as another school that empowers a pupil to attain A grades.

 

“The best type of school is one which provides a broad and holistic education which seeks to empower all students, of all levels of ability, from all kinds of backgrounds, and who face all kinds of challenges in their young lives.

 

“League tables treat students as one homogenous group rather than as unique individuals, each with their own set of goals, interests, talents, abilities and life experiences.

 

“League tables are damaging to education because they can distort the priorities of schools as teachers come under pressure to jettison aspects of holistic education which do not contribute to an improvement in a school’s position on the league table.

 

“If we want to improve the quality of education in our schools, then we must provide adequate funding and resources. Even before the recent education cuts Ireland was investing less of its GDP in education than all but three out of 28 OECD countries. It has never been more necessary to protect schools and education. Sustainable economic recovery depends on it.”

 

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